Thill-coupling



(NdgModeL) W. 1). STEWART THILL G'OUPLING'.

Patented May 3, 1887.

i W illlllnhu F M Mi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VVLLLARD D. STEWART, OF MERRILL, VISCONSIN.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION ibrmil'lg part Of Letters Patent NO. 362,403, dated MEIY 3, 1887. Application filed March 8, 1887. Serial No. 230,128. (No model.)

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, VILLARD D. STEWART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Merrill, in the county of Lincoln and State of Wisconsimhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buggy-Pole Couplings; and I do declare the following to be a-full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon,whieh form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to thill and pole couplings which admit of the pole or thill being readily coupled to and uncoupled from the vehicle.

The object of the invention is the production of a simple and convenient means whereby the pole or thill, when coupled, is held from accidental displacement and prevented from rattling.

The improvement consists of the novel features herei nal'ter described, elai med and show u in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a coupling of my construction embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, showing the parts of the coupling detached or separated. Fig. 3 is a'plan View.

The coupling is composed of the couplingrod A,which may be the thill orpoleiron, and the clip B, which is adapted to be secured to the axle of the vehicle. The couplinglug D, projected from the front of the clip, has the curved slot (1 formed therein through its upper edge, for the reception of the bolt 6, passed through the arms E, formed by the bifurcated or separated ends of the couplingrod. A portion of the lug overhangs the bolt 6 and holds it in position when the rod is coupled. The arms E of the couplerfit under shoulders f on each side of the lug, and, in connection with the overhanging portion d of the lug, hold the coupling-rod against pumping or accidental displacement from the slot cl. A space is leftbetween the end of the lug and the end 6' of the coupling-rod 'embraced between the arms E, through which the end of the spring G passes, and bearing upon the end 6 holds the bolte close up against the forward side of the slot (Z andprevents any rattling. The spring extends back and forms the yoke for the ends of the clip, upon which it is held by the nuts I). The upper and forward end of the spring is curved, so it will be directed to the space between the arms E of the coupling-rod. In practice the couplingrod can be attached to or removed from the clip by turning it in a vertical position, which disengages the arms E from the shoulders f. An upward movement of the rod will uncouple the parts. The reverse of this movement will couple the parts, and when the coupling-rod is turned in a horizontal position it will be held securely by the shoulders f, fitting over the arms E, and the portion (2, extending over the bolt 0, which will be readily understood. p

I am aware that it is common to have a clip provided with a bifurcated lug, a filling between the two parts of the lug, two short extensions projected toward each other from the sides of the parts of the lugs, and the coupling-rod composed of a solid end having curved grooves in its opposite sides to receive said extensions, the ends fitted between the parts of the lug and coming up underneath the filling. No claim is made, broadly, to such construction and arrangement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. The combination, with the clip having the slotted lug and the shoulders on each side thereof, of the coupling-rod having a bifurcated orseparated end, forming arms which embrace the lug and are adapted to fit beneath the shoulders, and the bolt uniting the arms and fitted in the slot in the lug, substantiallyv ing upon the couplerrod between the arms projected therefrom and the 9 the lug, and the bolt fit- IOO and forward end of the lug, substantially as thereof forming a yoke for the clip, and the set forth. forward end being curved and bearing against 3. The herein shown and described eoupthe end of the coupling-rod between the arms, ling for the purpose described, composed of substantially as specified. 5 5 the coupling-rod having abifureated end form- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in ing arms, the clip, the slotted log, and the presence of two witnesses. shoulders on each side of the lug projected T r1 1 r J therefrom, thehig being fitted between and the ILLARD AP D shoulders being extended over the arms, the Witnesses: to bolt passed through the slot in the lug and D. M. PHINNEY,

uniting the arms, and the spring, the rear end GEORGE CURTIS, Jr. 

